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What Is a Spinneret?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A spinneret is a piece of industrial equipment used in the production of polymer fibers. Using an extrusion process, a facility can force liquid polymers through the spinneret, turning them into long strands that harden into usable fibers. This process is similar to that seen with spider silk, and the name of this equipment is derived from the organ spiders used to produce thread for webs and other activities.

The process of creating fiber with a spinneret starts with preparing the polymers, either through melting or solvent treatment to turn the polymer into a liquid substance. Dyes can be added to create colored products, or the finished fiber can be dyed after processing, depending on the type and intended use. As it is forced through tiny holes in the head of the spinneret, the chains in the polymers align, and create long strands. Air or liquid on the other side provides a cooling bath to harden and temper the fibers so they will be usable, and the company can wind them onto spools for distribution.

Man with a drill
Man with a drill

This process is known as gel or polymer spinning. Manufacturers with this capability can distribute the resulting fiber to textile companies, or produce their own textiles in house, depending on the types of products and services they wish to offer. Synthetic fibers produced using this technique tend to be strong and durable, and range from Kevlar® for bulletproof vests to polyester for garments. Conditions at the spinneret must be tightly controlled to yield the best results.

The head of each spinneret represents a point of vulnerability in the system. The tiny holes can clog with polymers and impurities and render the device useless. Cleaning techniques are available, including in-service cleaning and removal of the heads for treatment in a different facility to remove layers of polymers and other materials that may be clogging them. Firms offering cleaning services are available for companies that do not wish to handle their own maintenance needs.

Research and development departments constantly analyze spinneret production of fibers. These departments look at new ways to produce synthetic fibers and work on the development of new types of fiber to meet the needs of consumers. Some also study ways to improve the design of spinnerets to address common problems or make the production of unusual fibers possible. Textile engineers who perform this kind of research usually have advanced degrees and are very familiar with the physics behind polymers and the formation of polymer fibers.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Charred

@David09 - I saw how they made Kevlar once. They take the fibers and then twist them together to make yarn. Then they use the yarn to create layers of material that becomes the stuff of the bullet proof vests. It’s amazing that all of that technology came out of a spider’s web for inspiration.

David09

@SkyWhisperer - I agree. I’ve never cared for polyester myself. Yes, it’s an easily produced material but it just doesn’t feel right.

I prefer the soft authentic quality of wool and cotton myself. I don’t think that spinnerets can work with these kinds of materials, because they are not artificial for one, and they are too thick.

SkyWhisperer

I heard about this thing called bimimicry, which basically means using nature for inspiration to common design problems. In other words, you ask the question, “What would nature do?”

As I read the description of spinnerets borrowing their technology from the spider’s silk spinning process, I see here a perfect example. If they are true to the spider’s methods, then these polymer fibers should be very strong as well.

I’ve heard that spider’s silk can be very strong, even stronger than steel, at the same width. I believe that this is one reason that they use spinnerets to make things like Kevlar for bullet proof vests. I think that is a better application than polyester in my opinion.

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      Man with a drill